Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes . If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking . Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal or stomach cramping and discomfort
• Diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• confusion
• continued diarrhea even after you have finished taking
• irregular or fast heartbeat
• hallucinations
• loss of hearing (temporary)
• nausea or vomiting (severe)
• ringing in the ear
• seizures
• skin rash, redness, or itching
• stomach pain (severe)
• symptoms of liver damage (e.g., yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, or itching)
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vertigo

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of the face or throat, Hives, or difficulty breathing)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking .

Each 5 mL of light pink suspension has a cherry aroma and contains 250 mg erythromycin as estolate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: antifoaming emulsion, artificial cherry flavour, benzoic acid, citric acid, disodium EDTA, FD&C Red No. 2, polysorbate, sucrose, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulfate, and tragacanth.

Erythromycin estolate should not be taken by anyone who:

• is allergic to erythromycin, or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• is allergic to clarithromycin or other macrolide antibacterial agents
• is taking astemizole*, terfenadine, cisapride, or Pimozide
• is pregnant
• has preexisting liver disease or dysfunction

*Astemizole, terfenadine, and cisapride are no longer marketed in Canada.

There may be an interaction between erythromycin estolate and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with . Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use .

Allergic reactions: Hives and mild rashes as well as infrequent serious allergic reactions have been reported by people taking . Erythromycin should be taken with caution by anyone who has had any form of allergy to medications. If you experience an allergic reaction to erythromycin, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor.

Diarrhea: is associated a serious infection called Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, caused by the bacteria C. difficile. This can occur as late as 2 months after your last dose of . If you have loose, watery bowel movements that are green, foul-smelling, or bloody that may be accompanied by Fever after taking erythromycin, get medical attention as soon as possible.

Liver problems: People with reduced liver function should discuss with their doctor how may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of , and whether any special monitoring is needed.

There have been reports of liver problems occurring in a small percentage of people receiving erythromycin products, particularly erythromycin estolate. Anyone experiencing yellowing of the pigments of their eyes or skin (suggestive of jaundice) should see their doctor.

Myasthenia Gravis: Use of may aggravate this condition.

Overgrowth of organisms: Prolonged or repeated use of erythromycin may result in an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi and organisms that aren't killed by the medication, causing problems such as yeast infections.

Pregnancy: should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking , contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking erythromycin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety of erythromycin for use by newborns has not been established.

Erythromycin belongs to the class of medications known as macrolide antibiotics. It is used to treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria.

It is most commonly used to treat the following:

• lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, Whooping Cough, diphtheria, and Legionnaires' Disease
• sexually transmitted infections such as Syphilis and Chlamydia
• upper respiratory infections such as Sinusitis and pharyngitis
• skin infections (including Acne)

Your doctor may have suggested for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking , speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking without consulting your doctor.

Do not give to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take if their doctor has not prescribed it.